Art & Design
As the Art and Design Department at Townsend, we aim for every student to gain and develop a lifelong love of Art & Design in whatever way, shape or form. We do this by helping students develop skills and ways of thinking that are transferable into other areas in their life and future careers.
As a department, we want students to understand that Art is not only a practical subject but also an academic one, as it engages with history, politics and society, social, economic, cultural and spiritual aspects of the past, present and future. Our curriculum aims to help students to develop an understanding of the different beliefs, values and viewpoints of various artists, craftspeople and designers, which ties in with our Respect for All policy.
Our vision is that the overwhelming majority of our students will achieve their personal bests throughout the course and move into higher education in Art, and some into Art and Design based careers. That students become independent learners and thinkers through a varied curriculum at KS3, 4 and 5.
Course Details
The course follows the Townsend Curriculum alongside the National Curriculum as a guide, covering a range of topics throughout Years 7, 8 and 9.
Course Description
The KS3 Art and Design Curriculum at Townsend encourages students to develop their creativity and self-expression. Students are able to experience a wide variety of media, techniques and processes throughout Years 7, 8 and 9, building on prior learning from KS2. Through an exciting, knowledge-rich curriculum, students are introduced to a range of different artists, art movements and cultures, linking to SMSC. Students learn about the impact of art and design in Great Britain and the wider world and how this impacts their own work. The curriculum focuses on the key formal elements of art through a range of different projects, with each aiming to build on prior learning from Year 7 into 9.
Programme of Study
Students will work through 3 different topics and engage in practical tasks, discussion, group work and homework projects. Each theme is designed to develop a balance of practical skills, knowledge and understanding. Students will experiment with both 2D and 3D formats and explore techniques including painting, printing, collage and sculpture.
Year 7
Project 1 – Drawing – Still Life – Various Artists
In Year 7, students begin to develop a more realistic style of drawing and are taught the importance of keen observation, accurate line work, and the use of tone. Students are introduced to the key formal elements of art through the drawing of basic shapes. They will then go on to develop their observational drawing and tonal shading skills in order to create their own still life outcome.
Project 2 – Clay – Mechanical Creatures – James DeRosso
In this project, students dive into the fantasy world of James Derosso and his mechanical creatures. Students research, develop ideas and create their own clay creatures in response to his work.
Project 3 – Drawing/Painting – Colour Theory – Animals – Carolee Clark
During this project, students are introduced to colour theory, the colour wheel, mixing paints, and paint application techniques, focusing on the theme of animals and the artist Carolee Clark. Students will learn about how artists use colour to convey mood and feeling in their work, linking to SMSC. Students will go on to create their own response to this theme based on an animal and colour of their choosing.
Year 8
Project 1 – Drawing – Portraiture – Mixed Media Artist Melissa Wilcox
This project aims to cover the basics of portraiture. Students will be introduced to the history of portraiture and varying styles and artists’ work. They will learn to draw faces and features and will end the project with a mixed media portrait based on the techniques used by Melissa Wilcox.
Project 2 – Lino Printing – Insects – Various Artists
During this project, students will develop their observational drawing skills and will learn all about lino printing and related artists. Students will produce a series of lino prints, using different techniques and processes.
Project 3 – Drawing – Clay – Sculptural Coil Pots – Different Cultures Around the World
For this final project of the year, students will be studying different cultures and their pottery, focusing specifically on coil pots. They will learn about the people, beliefs, traditions, and artwork, amongst other things. They will draw from observation and secondary sources and create a range of work, culminating in a clay coil pot.
Year 9
Project 1 – Drawing – Clay – Under the Sea – Heather Knight and Yellena James
For this project, students will be studying the theme of under the sea, looking at close-ups of sea creatures and other marine life, focusing on texture, colour, and pattern throughout this project. Students will link their work to the work of Heather Knight and Yellena James, creating their own clay piece in response to this subject.
Project 2 – Drawing – Paint – Mixed Media – Plants – Lara Meintjes
During this project, students will continue to develop their observational drawing skills further, producing large mixed-media pieces based on observational drawings of plants. They will link their work to the vibrant artist Lara Meintjes, who uses paint in various ways to express her style.
Project 3 – Identity – Drawing – Painting – 3D Work – Mixed Media (Students’ Choice) Linking to Various Artists Chosen by Students
For this project, students are exploring the theme of identity. They will look at their own identity, family, and heritage, producing a range of work on this theme and a final outcome in various media, linking to artists of their choice, with 2D or 3D outcomes.
Assessment
Regular assessment of work is used to promote and improve learning. Students are assessed through formative, summative and peer assessment.
Home Learning
Students are given artist-based research to complete in the form of extended projects.
Where Can Art and Design Take You?
Further Study
- GCSE Art
- A Level Art
- Fine Art
- Art and Design
- Graphic Communication
- Textiles
- 3-Dimensional Design
Careers
- Artist
- Interior Designer
- Set Designer
- Animator
- Web Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Illustrator
- Fine Artist
- Commercial Artist
- Museum Curator
- Digital 3D Modeller
- Video Games Designer
Student Art Guide – https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-careers-list
How Can Parents Support Their Child’s Learning?
- Encourage them to continue to develop their skills in this subject outside of the classroom, utilising online videos as a means to practise and improve further.
- Ask them about what they have been taught at school in order to reinforce prior learning.
- Support them in improving their knowledge and understanding of different artists, craftspeople and designers. This can be done through in-depth research and visits to see works of art first-hand in museums and galleries, locally and in the wider area if possible.
Useful Links
- Paul Carney Arts – https://www.paulcarneyarts.com/key-stage-3-art
- Drawing Tutorials – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5HDRMEF1E
- Arty Factory – https://www.artyfactory.com/
